Over the past few years, “test optional” has become one of the most confusing parts of the college process.

Most families I meet with in Brookfield, Waukesha, Milwaukee, and the surrounding areas have heard the term, but there is still a lot of uncertainty about what it actually means in practice.

The assumption I hear most often is that test optional means tests no longer matter.

That is not really how it works.

At its core, test optional means a student can choose whether or not to submit a score as part of their application. Colleges will review the application either way.

What it does not mean is that test scores have become irrelevant.

In many cases, a strong score still strengthens an application. It gives the admissions office another data point and can help confirm academic readiness, especially at schools where the range of applicants is wide.

In other cases, submitting a score that is not as strong as the rest of the application can work against a student, which is why the option exists in the first place.

The decision to submit or not submit a score is not a philosophical one. It is a strategic one.

When Submitting a Score Helps

If a student’s ACT score aligns with or is above the typical range for a school, it usually makes sense to submit it.

That score reinforces what the transcript is already showing. It can also play a role in merit scholarship consideration at many schools, which is something families often overlook when they think about test optional policies.

When It Makes Sense Not to Submit

If a student’s score is well below the typical range for a school, and it does not match the rest of their academic profile, there are situations where it makes sense to apply without it.

That allows the application to be evaluated more heavily on coursework, grades, and other factors.

But even in those cases, the student still needs to be strong in those other areas.

Test optional does not mean test blind. Colleges are still looking for evidence that a student can handle the academic work.

Where This Gets Misunderstood

The biggest mistake I see is families treating test optional as a default rather than a decision.

A student takes the ACT once, does not love the score, and decides they will just not submit it anywhere. There is no real evaluation of how that score might help at some schools or how improving it could change options.

In reality, there are many situations where a modest increase in a test score can open up additional opportunities or significantly impact scholarship outcomes.

I also see the opposite problem, where students continue testing without a clear reason, assuming that more attempts will automatically lead to a better result.

Neither approach is particularly helpful.

How to Think About It Right Now

For rising senior, this is the point in the process where test strategy should be getting clear.

That does not mean every student needs the same plan. Some students will take the test two or three times and be done. A small number will decide that applying without a score makes the most sense for them.

The important part is that the decision is intentional.

If you have a current junior in Brookfield, Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, or nearby communities, this is a good time to step back and look at how testing fits into the overall plan.

Not whether tests “matter,” but whether they are helping or hurting this particular student’s options.

That answer is not the same for everyone.